Category: Pauline Dispensationalism / Dispensational Bible Study

Twice-Guilty Thieves #5

Thursday, January 17, 2013

“For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face” (2 Corinthians 11:20 KJV).

Beloved, take today’s Scripture to heart, lest religion take your heart so they can take from you!

“Name it and claim it” preachers urge us to “claim” 3 John 2, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:33, Exodus 15:26, James 5:15, and Malachi 3:10. “Speak health and wealth into your life… God does not want you sick… Claim your healing through Christ’s atonement… It is a sin to be poor… Offer your tithes and be blessed of God 100-fold like Isaac!”

Tragically, since Bible verses are quoted, but not approached dispensationally, most professing Christians believe these claims are “God’s will” for them. They are never told that the program to which those verses belong is currently suspended. These preachers are simply mishandling the verse to rob the purse (today’s Scripture)!

For instance, despite the Bible’s healing promises, Paul wrote: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:22,23). Surely, there is no “healing in Jesus’ name” according to that passage!

There was no miraculous healing for ill Timothy, whom Paul instructed, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). One of the last verses Paul wrote was, “Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick” (2 Timothy 4:20). Where is Paul’s apostolic gift of healing? Why did he, Timothy, or Trophimus not claim those Old Testament healing passages? They knew they did not apply to them, just like they do not apply to us.

Unless we “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), we overlook the fact that God is doing something with us that is different from what He did with Israel in the past and what He will do with her in the future.

Twice-Guilty Thieves #4

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

“For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face” (2 Corinthians 11:20 KJV).

Beloved, take today’s Scripture to heart, lest religion take your heart so they can take from you!

In the context of today’s Scripture, Paul is defending his apostleship. He writes that he is concerned about false teachers polluting his Corinthian believers. They preach false gospels, false Jesuses, and false spirits (verses 1-4). Verse 13 describes them as “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” Actually, verse 22 indicates these false teachers were Jews, which implies what they were preaching to the Corinthians to turn them against Paul and his ministry.

Paul preached, “Ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14); however, the false teachers taught the Corinthians, “Ye are not under grace, but law!” They were slandering and denying Paul’s apostleship and message in order to gain the Corinthians’ trust. Sadly, it worked!

Today’s Scripture demonstrates how these false apostles negatively influenced the Corinthians. The Corinthians were taken “into bondage” (Mosaic Law-keeping; Acts 15:10; Galatians 4:9; Galatians 5:1), wrongly believing they were under Israel’s performance-based acceptance system of law (works-religion/legalism also deceived Galatia [Galatians 5:1-5] and Ephesus [1 Timothy 1:3-11]; cf. Acts 15:1-5.). The Corinthian Christians were taught to be Scriptural: perform to get God’s blessings as taught in the Bible’s “Old Testament.” (They are today’s prosperity preachers!)

Claiming Israel’s verses as though they are ours is, essentially, to deny our identity in the Church the Body of Christ. Attempting to follow a program that God never gave us is to reject the program He did give us through Paul. It is a deliberate refusal to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

“Name it and claim it” preachers literally “steal Israel’s verse to embezzle your purse!” Despite their alleged sincerity, the Bible is clear these false teachers are not serving God. They are actually extorting money from you under false pretenses (today’s Scripture). What is most appalling? They are using Scripture, and giving “God” the praise!

Twice-Guilty Thieves #3

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

“For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face” (2 Corinthians 11:20 KJV).

Beloved, take today’s Scripture to heart, lest religion take your heart so they can take from you!

Many church leaders embrace prosperity theology (some to more degrees than others). Basically, this movement’s message is, “God wants you healthy and wealthy! Are you sick today? You have ‘unconfessed sin!’ Ask God for forgiveness. Claim your bodily healing in Jesus’ name! God says in Exodus 15:26, ‘I am the LORD that healeth thee.’ Give your ‘tithes’ to our church and God will rain down riches unfathomable as Malachi teaches.” Notice the Bible does say these things.

Malachi 3:10: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

James 5:15: “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

Read Deuteronomy chapter 28 for yourself. God does promise material blessings to those who obey Him (the verses “claimed” today)…. He also promises curses on the disobedient (the verses obviously ignored).

Indeed, these preachers are quoting Scripture, BUT they are handling the Bible “deceitfully” (2 Corinthians 4:2) in order to make a profit off of you (today’s Scripture). God never spoke Malachi 3:10 to us—Malachi 1:1 says Israel is Malachi’s audience. James wrote to “the twelve tribes [of Israel] which are scattered abroad” (1:1). Deuteronomy is God’s Word to Israel (1:1). We are not Israel. These verses do not apply to us. God tells us something different today through the Apostle Paul.

Again, the “name it and claim it” preachers simply “hijack the verse to acquire the purse!” (“The love of money is the root of all evil;” 1 Timothy 6:10.)

Twice-Guilty Thieves #2

Monday, January 14, 2013

“For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face” (2 Corinthians 11:20 KJV).

Beloved, take today’s Scripture to heart, lest religion take your heart so they can take from you!

Members of the “name it and claim it” movement, despite their duplicity and heresy, are actually quoting the Bible (!). Prosperity theology does not simply appear out of “thin air;” it is found in God’s Word. Deuteronomy chapter 28 is one of the primary passages of Scripture used to teach that God will reward you with material blessings based on your religious performance. The Bible indeed teaches this, but it is speaking to Israel in time past. God declares no such thing to us today in the Dispensation of Grace (search Paul’s epistles in vain).

Note Deuteronomy 28:1,2: “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” We then read of dozens of blessings, which are often “claimed” today.

Now, read verse 15: “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.” God lists dozens of curses, which everyone today ignores for obvious reasons.

“Claiming” part of the chapter to follow—the blessings—and willfully rejecting the rest—the curses—is dishonest. Nevertheless, the “name it and claim it” crowd—as does religion in general (today’s Scripture)—names the verse in order to claim the purse! This robs Christians of their identity in Christ, and it keeps them ignorant of what God teaches them through the Apostle Paul.

Twice-Guilty Thieves #1

Sunday, January 13, 2013

“For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face” (2 Corinthians 11:20 KJV).

Beloved, take today’s Scripture to heart, lest religion take your heart so they can take from you!

Recently, I watched a Bible teacher on television who claimed, “God has material riches waiting for you, and you can discover all the details by buying my book. [Seems to me like he is going to receive the ‘material riches!’] Just send in a ‘seed of faith’ to my ministry and watch God give it all back… and more! Claim those promises in Deuteronomy chapter 28, and receive those material blessings from God!”

We cannot imagine the millions who are lured into this trap. This scheme is especially useful in times of financial instability, when people are seeking economic relief. Jesus Christ condemned the religious leaders of His day because they “devoured widows’ houses” (Matthew 23:14). He called Israel’s Temple “a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12,13). Paul even admitted, when he was lost, he “profited in the Jews’ religion above many [his] equals” (Galatians 1:14). As Saul of Tarsus the Pharisee, he enjoyed a lucrative lifestyle.

It is certainly Scriptural to “name and claim” Israel’s material promises in the Bible. However, it is also dishonest and undispensational to “name and claim” Israel’s material promises in the Bible. Just because it is in the Bible does not make it God’s Word to you. Can you honestly expect God to honor your taking someone else’s possessions and claiming to do it in His name?! God forbid! Does God agree with these church leaders mishandling His Word so they can extort from their congregations?! God forbid!

Bluntly, “name it and claim it” preaching is summed up as, “Quote the verse and take the purse!” It was true of religion in the day of the Apostle Paul (today’s Scripture), and it is definitely true today. Dear saints, let not the religious system take you and rob you of your spiritual wealth in Christ. Give under grace—dispensationally, cheerfully, and carefully.

Wilt Thou Love Instruction or Hate Reproof?

Saturday, January 12, 2013

“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish” (Proverbs 12:1 KJV).

We can choose to either love instruction, or hate reproof.

No one person has the perfect answer to every issue in life. God’s Word, the Holy Bible, does not tell us specifics about how to handle every life matter. However, there is plenty of “instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) contained therein, and it will literally take an eternity to soak it all in. Will we, by faith, submit to God’s instructions to us, or will we distance ourselves from the Being whose “understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5)?

As sons and daughters of Adam, we do not naturally “love instruction” (today’s Scripture). We want to do things our own way, in our own time, and at our own pace. “Me! Me! ME! You are not my boss! Do not tell me what to do! I will make my own decisions, no matter what the consequences are.” Such an attitude is “brutish” (today’s Scripture): it is uncivilized, senseless, and even animal-like. God has tolerated this for 6,000 years from billions of people—imagine the longsuffering of God for witnessing it for this long!

The Bible is one giant book of instruction, for it informs us regarding what God has done, is doing, and will do. It also demonstrates His mercy, wisdom, love, and grace. Alas, very few “love [that] instruction.” In fact, the Bible’s claims are often met with, “I do not believe in God; leave me alone!” “That Book has mistakes; it was written by man.” Such replies are “brutish.”

The Bible is one giant book of reproof, for it reprimands us concerning our fallen (sinful) state. It also provides information about God’s plan to restore us unto Himself through Jesus Christ. Alas, almost all “hate [that] reproof.” In fact, the Bible’s claims are often met with, “Oh no, not me! I am no sinner!” “I can get to heaven without Christ.” Again, such responses are “brutish.”

Let us cherish and believe God’s instructions to us—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. Let us not be brutish.

Established Saints #7

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s will for every believer.

I speak from experience when I claim that denominational teaching hides God’s will from Christians. Religious tradition deceived me for nearly 15 years, so I was scripturally ignorant. Today’s average “Christian” church is so fixated on vain customs, rites, ceremonies, programs, rituals, prayers, dogmas, and experiences, its members have little to no time to study the Bible for themselves. The method whereby God grows us spiritually is Bible study, so if we are distracted by everything else, is it any wonder why most professing Christians know little to nothing about what God is actually doing today, and know everything they presume Him to be doing today?

Dear saints, if we are to be used of God to the fullest extent, we must be “established:” we need to be Christians who have a solid footing in sound Pauline Bible doctrine. This is only possible when we study and believe the Bible “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15). Unless we understand where we are in God’s Word, and where in the Bible to find ourselves, we will never appreciate our identity as members of the Body of Christ, and we will never know what God wants us to do in this the Dispensation of Grace. We do not go to the non-Pauline books of the Bible to try to find God’s will for us there (although we study all of the Bible!).

Trusting Christ as our personal Saviour is our birth into God’s family. Learning that Paul is our apostle is the first “baby step” in the Christian walk. Delving deeper and deeper into Paul’s epistles to discover God’s Word to us, and our belief in those doctrines we read, will mature us spiritually. We can then become adult Christians, who have a clear understanding and an immense appreciation of God’s will for us. Be ye “established saints!” 🙂

Established Saints #6

Monday, January 7, 2013

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s will for every believer.

God wants “perfected” (matured) saints, an “edified” (built up) Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). Thus, the layout of Paul’s epistles in Scripture is designed to educate the grace saint from spiritual infancy to spiritual adulthood, so the Christian can understand God’s will, delight in His will, and then work with Him to accomplish His will, like an educated, grown son would help his father in the “family business!” Hence, the “doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness” of the Holy Bible makes “perfect” Christians who are “throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age [spiritually mature], even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13,14). As 1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

The Apostle Paul, in today’s Scripture, wanted to visit Rome and teach the saints sound Bible doctrine. The Holy Spirit through Paul desired these saints to be “established,” that their minds would be firmly settled in a clear understanding of God’s Word to us. However, Paul was repeatedly hindered by Satan’s policy of evil (verse 13). So, he wrote an epistle—the book of Romans—and sent it to Rome.

Dear saints, as in the case with the Roman saints, Satan will attempt to prevent you from learning God’s truth, too. Denominationalism hinders your spiritual growth, stunting the growth of your inner man as junk food does your outer man, thus robbing you and leaving you ignorant of God’s will. According to today’s Scripture, if you want to be “established” spiritually, you must rely on what Paul wrote 2,000 years ago, and forget appealing to church tradition!

Established Saints #5

Sunday, January 6, 2013

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s will for every believer.

God wants us believers “established;” that is, to have us understand His Word as the Apostle Paul did. Our Lord Jesus Christ desires to His fill us with His life, but He cannot live His life in and through us until we know the doctrine that is His life!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Paul’s epistles follow this “doctrine, reproof, correction” pattern. Notice:

  • Romans – basic grace doctrine (Calvary’s finished crosswork: how it saves us and impacts our daily living; Israel’s past, present, and future statuses; practical grace living)
  • 1&2 Corinthians – reproof (carnality/spiritual immaturity, fornication, philosophy, pagan idolatry, denial of bodily resurrection, abuse of spiritual gifts, misuse of the Lord’s Supper, denial of Paul’s apostleship, embracing false teachers, condemned)
  • Galatians – correction (works-religion/legalism [Mosaic Law-keeping] condemned)
  • Ephesians – advanced form of Romans (Calvary’s finished crosswork: how it forms the Body of Christ and accomplishes God’s overall plan in creation).
  • Philippians – advanced form of 1&2 Corinthians (reproving disorderly saints)
  • Colossians – advanced form of Galatians (correcting asceticism, “self-denial” for religious purposes)
  • 1&2 Thessalonians – doctrine of the Lord’s coming for the Church Body of Christ (1), and for the nation Israel (2). After our glorification in heaven, reproof and correction are unnecessary.
  • 1&2 Timothy – church order
  • Titus – church order and good works
  • Philemon – brotherly love and Christian fellowship

The moment we trust Christ as our Saviour, we are spiritual babies. But, God wants us to grow spiritually, to become mature believers, to learn more and more and more about what He is doing and why He is doing it. We can then appreciate His Word and understand His purpose and plan for creation.

Established Saints #4

Saturday, January 5, 2013

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s will for every believer.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

The Bible’s canon—the arrangement of its books—is no coincidence, especially the order of Paul’s epistles. They follow the “doctrine, reproof, correction” pattern listed in the above verses. The Holy Spirit worked through believers in centuries past when they copied and collated the Bible manuscripts, and He supervised even the order of the Bible books!

Paul’s epistles are usually not arranged in the order he wrote them. The doctrine in the book of Romans is the most basic information for this the Dispensation of Grace, so it is the first of Paul’s epistles in the canon of Scripture (though Romans was not Paul’s first letter written). As we progress in reading through his epistles, we delve into deeper material (especially in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians). Before we try to grasp his latter epistles, we must first gain an understanding of the basic doctrine in Romans.

“Doctrine” is what we are to believe, “reproof” is a reprimand for misbehavior, and “correction” is to fix bad thinking. Paul’s epistles serve in all three capacities for the Body of Christ; the remainder of the Bible serves a similar purpose for the nation Israel. The Bible serves in these three capacities to “instruct in righteousness,” and its overall purpose is that, “the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:17). God’s Word completely equips you to do everything He has for you to do and tells you everything you need to know. When you learn that information, you are “established” (today’s Scripture). God can then use you for His purposes because you know what He is doing.